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Research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG has found that the Midlands has the highest number of people getting permanent jobs in the country.

Kate Shoesmith, head of policy at REC said:

The UK labour market is starting the new year in robust form. Our latest figures show sharp growth in the number of people finding new permanent jobs and the most rapid rise in starting salaries since October 2007.

Increasing demand for temp workers has driven up hourly pay rates for agency workers for the 11th month on the trot. Growing confidence means more and more employers are willing to invest in their workforce and take on more people.

The real concern now is the mismatch between demand and supply, with recruiters reporting that they can't source suitable candidates for vacancies in a whole range of sectors.